The Caiçaras and the Atlantic Forest coast: Insights on their resilience Gisele Esteves Prado, Milena - Ramires, Alpina - Begossi

Abstract

In this study we approach  temporal resilience,  at an ecological scale, by comparing 22 years of activities of Caiçaras in Puruba Beach, SE coast of Brazil. Caiçaras are the local inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest coast, descending from Portuguese Colonizers, Native Indians, as well as with African influences. Resilience is a subject of great relevance when dealing with inhabitants of tropical forests, especially when considering livelihoods that depend upon the extraction of natural resources. Puruba beach was studied in 1991 (AB) and 2013 (GP) (who conducted semi-structured interviews), among other studies.  The inhabitants of  Puruba beach showed  flexibility and capacity to manage the restrictions imposed by the governmental environmental agencies.  They engaged in new jobs at the municipality of Ubatuba, and diversified their activities. In that regard, they were capable to adapt to new realities by diversifying and substituting their economic activities, showing socio-economical and ecological resilience.